Day three of our journey concluded. The fourth day of our journey was underway. I gained a new friend, but neither of us were able to use an element as of yet. Still, my friend's eyes looked as mean as ever as she stared at Enora.
We had entered a flat plains area again. The Beastkin reservation was still a day away. While looking towards the south I could still see the giant redwood trees in the distance from the window. If those were on Earth they would have been one of the great wonders. I placed my hand on Enora's thigh as she complained about Nychibi quietly. She smiled gently at me. Her smile that revealed her lineage was my shining star. It was so bright that a blush had formed on my face causing me to look away and back out the window.
As the carriage bounced once more, I saw specs in the distance. Tiny numerous dots were coming from the Redwoods. It was as though a swarm of flies had graced the landscape with their presence. I looked back towards Enora, but she was already squinting her eyes at the dots so far away. "Pegasus…"
"You mean all of those are flying horses!?" I couldn't really make them out from such a distance, but I got excited about the prospect of meeting such majestic creatures. Though looking back at Enora, she didn't share my excitement. Her face was filled with worry. "Nychibi, does this kingdom have Pegasus riders?" She asked the green harpy.
"The Fallen Kingdom has a few, but they are so hard to tame that only the higher ups would have them." Enora looked back out of the window towards the specs that were steadily growing in size as they came nearer. "This is bad. Very bad." She opened the shutter towards the coachman's seat. "Ethora, stop the carriage. We won't reach the reservation in time."
As the carriage ground to a halt, dust sprayed our surroundings. I started to panic from Enora's tone, and the realization that these Pegasus riders were likely not on our side. "39…40." Nychibi said as she hopped out of the carriage in the direction of the Pegasus riders. "The kingdom wouldn't employ that many, and if they did I would have heard about it."
"Ethora!"
"Yes, miss Enora?"
"Take refuge in the carriage. You should as well, Melle."
"No! I won't leave your side. I am an adventurer now too." I said that, but what could I even do? I didn't even know how to use my element yet, and the specs were getting closer and louder. I was already starting to hear the steady flapping of their wings. I could finally make out the riders on the backs of the horses, and all of them were bird people. A few of them were armored to the beak. Golden chains were strapped to the bird people at the helm. Enora became louder this time. "Get in the carriage, Melle!"
She was resolved to face an unknown enemy, despite her visible worry. I didn't want to leave them alone. "Do as she says!"
Even my newly gained friend wasn't an ally, and from behind Ethora placed a hand on my shoulder. "Come, miss Melle. We shouldn't get in their way."
"Okay…" I said in defeat. I realized that the only thing I would be able to do is get in their way. I was a regular human, and I hated fighting. The only thing I had was magic power, but even that was useless if I couldn't use it. I looked down at my hand as I once again tried to push my element out, but the only thing that came was a small mana burst. Enora suddenly placed her hand on my cheek. I looked at her through my eyes that had started to become blurry. I couldn't stand being a weight. "Please be strong for me, Melle. I love you, and I don't want anything to happen to you. That is why I need you to wait in there with Ethora."
"I also love you, and that is why I hate this." Enora kissed my cheek and smiled at me gently. "I told you already, remember? I am strong. I will protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you."
"Okay…Please stay safe…If something bad happens to you, I could never forgive myself." Her response was a simple nod as Ethora pulled me into the carriage and shut the door. In the next moment they were upon us. The Pegasus riders had landed on the grass with a loud rumble, and soon their leader spoke.
—-------
I felt bad for forcing Melle into the carriage. I know my lover hated feeling useless, but I had a major bad feeling about these birds as they dismounted their flying horses. "I know that bird…" Nychibi said as their leader stepped forward. "Who are you!? Come closer, and I will skewer you where you stand!" Nychibi said as she cast her glare at their leader.
"My leader didn't say you would be here too…"
"What are you talking about!?"
"My, don't you think it is rude to forget a face, Nychibi?" The brown bird with golden chainmail adorning his body made his face into a sickening smirk. "I have never seen your face before! How do you know my name!?" Nychibi's yelling did nothing to remove the grin from his face.
"I would have thought I left a huge impression on you after our last meeting. You know, your father gave our leader quite the thrashing Ten years ago. Of course, I had my fair share of battle that day dealing with your tribe. It was honestly quite a pain, and I don't really like fighting. I don't want to fight either of you, so how about we make a deal?" His sadistic grin returned to his scarred face. Nychibi had started trembling as she looked at him with pure hatred. "A deal? I have a deal to make with you already."
"Oh?" His query provoked the other birds behind him into laughter, and I could tell something was coming. "Nychibi, dont!"
It was too late. My words were too slow, and my hesitation had caused the inevitable. A loud crack of thunder resounded from Nychibi's position as she took off like a raging thunderbird. Her speed was faster than ever before, and it was clear the reason why. She had used her element. The wind propelled her at the speed of a sniper rifle right into the enemy….